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Improving lifestyle, rather than adding space, was the brief for this extensive renovation project Words by Melanie Gardener. Photography by Ron Tan

Unfortunately, the original 1930s home had been renovated a number of times over the years with the addition of a granny flat that was then joined to the original home, then more bedrooms built above the first renovation and the conversion of a pool into garden space. The result was a miss-match of styles, terrible use of the available space and a home in dire need of some redirection.

Doepel March and Investwest Corporation undertook this venture as a joint project to design and specify the finished product. Their first task was to sort out the mess that had been left from the previous building activity. Space was not an issue, with more than 1000 square metres of garden and nearly 500 square metres of living area, but it had been so badly utilised over the years that, for example, the usable outdoor space had been reduced to a mere courtyard-sized lawn.

The plan was to find a way to turn this expansive home into a lifestyle-friendly, up-market and contemporary space within the footprint of the original home. It was decided to incorporate brand name items and integrate as much technology into the design and layout as possible. To this end, Kim Doepel designed a ‘gallery’-style entry hall to set the mood and make an impression on visitors as soon as they entered the property. In addition, a purpose-built and –designed home theatre has been included with individual leather recliners and all the state-of-the-art fittings and fixtures for which a movie aficionado could wish.

While the original home retained a certain amount of character, it was felt that it was not of a suitable era to retain original fittings such as cornices. These were replaced with a more modern shadow line effect not only to all the ceilings, but also as a negative detail around the over-standard-height door frames. As well, the old skirting boards were replaced with 130mm-high square-edged boards in keeping with the modern theme. Investwest Corporation’s experience in the Melbourne property market is credited as the inspiration for these design inclusions.

Externally, the gardens have been transformed. Previously overrun with unsuitable plants, the outdoor space now contains a lap pool with adjoining cabana, a limestone-paved entertaining area and substantial lawn space. The poured limestone acts as a unifying factor between the pool, outdoor entertaining and open-plan living areas, accessed via bi-fold doors.

Because of the extensive previous renovation work and ‘rabbit warren’ layout, there were many unusual challenges to overcome. The floor of the old granny flat was some 60mm higher than the surrounding floor and, when the designers tried to lower it, they discovered that the entire floor needed to be removed and re-poured. As the plan was to lay a direct-stick solid timber floor, a bathroom-style waterproof membrane had to be applied throughout.
The ceiling heights in the gallery and main living area also differed but this was overcome by utilising the lower living area ceiling as the linking element for the box bulkheads in the gallery, while the raised gallery ceiling height formed a recessed feature within the bulkheads.

The last word on this project is best left to John Pitcher of Investwest Corporation: “This home has a feel about it that is unequalled for entertaining or unwinding. Opening up the doors and jumping in the pool or relaxing in the al fresco all have a resort-like feel to it. The owners no longer have to journey away to relax … they just go outside.”

PROJECT PARTICULARS The project was designed by Kim Doepel and Janine Marsh of Doepel March Architects, 246 Churchill Avenue, Subiaco WA. Phone 08 9388 2281.
The project was built by Kim Doepel.